Thanks to an intuitive user interface, robust app support, and multiple products at different price points, Roku’s offerings remain popular in the streaming device market. Except for Roku TVs and a few USB-powered streamers, most Roku devices are designed to stay on and connected to the internet at all times. However, there are times when you want to power off your Roku device.



Roku aims to deliver seamless updates, faster boot times, and an overall better experience. When you press the power button on the Roku remote, the device remains active in a low-power state. Since Roku devices don’t have an On-Off button, it may puzzle new Roku owners.



How Roku streaming devices are powered and why it’s important

A Roku TV mounted on a wall in a modern looking living room with plants around

There are a few types of Roku streamers and each works a bit differently. Some Roku devices draw power from your television’s USB port while others connect to a power outlet. We cover both types in this guide, but it’s worth taking a moment to understand how your Roku draws power to determine if you actually need to turn it off. Roku streamers prioritize convenience over power consumption. When you press the power button, your Roku enters sleep or standby mode and draws a small amount of power. When you press the power button to turn your streamer back on, it is ready to use in a couple of seconds.Roku also makes best use of standby time by downloading software and channel updates in the background without interrupting your streaming experience. When your Roku device isn’t in use, it doesn’t consume significant bandwidth and won’t slow down other devices on the same Wi-Fi network. Streamers that connect to your television’s USB port will automatically turn off when you turn off your television. If you use a Roku that connects to a power outlet, it’s best to leave it plugged in and connected to your Wi-Fi network unless you’re going to be away for an extended period of time or are troubleshooting a problem.

roku ultra with remote on a cabinet

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How to power off Roku streaming devices

There are several ways to turn off your Roku streaming device. If your Roku device is connected to an AC adapter, unplug it from the power source and shut down the device.

Some users connect their Roku device to a power strip. You can flip the switch on the board to turn off Roku. It also cuts the power supply to other plugged-in devices.

You can also unplug the Roku stick from your TV’s HDMI port and shut it down completely. Since most TVs have HDMI ports on the back, it may not be convenient for some to use this trick.

How to turn off a USB-powered Roku streamer

If you have one of the following Roku devices, it is powered on when it’s plugged into your TV’s USB port. This means when you turn off the television, it automatically turns off the connected Roku streaming device.

  • Roku Express
  • Roku Express 4K
  • Roku Premiere (except for the 2016 model)
  • Roku Streaming Stick+

Some TVs may be able to power your Roku device via the USB port.



How to turn off the Roku 4K, 4K+, and Ultra

If you own a Roku Ultra or either of the 4K streaming sticks, you can turn them off using your Roku’s Settings menu. Here’s what you’ll need to do.

Open Roku Home and select

Settings
.

open Roku Settings

Go to the

System
menu.

Select

Power
.

Open power menu in Roku Settings

Click

Power off
to shut down your Roku 4. You can also auto-power off your device after 30 minutes of inactivity.


How to turn off a Roku TV

The Roku TV lineup with five different TVs of varying sizes
Source: Roku


Roku announced it will make its own TVs and partnered with TV manufacturers like TCL, Hisense, and more. If Roku is pre-installed on your smart TV, the system turns off when you press the power button. However, if you activate the Fast TV Start option, the device goes into a low-power mode.

Fast TV Start ensures quick boot time and voice command access. It lets you listen to music, radio, and podcasts when your TV is off. It’s best to keep it toggled on in Settings. However, if you want to turn off the option, follow the steps below.

Go to the

System
menu in Roku Settings (check the steps above).

Select

Power
and open

Fast TV Start
.

Turn off the option.

Open power menu in Roku Settings




How to reboot your Roku

While Roku offers a robust streaming experience on your smart TV, the company’s devices aren’t void of issues. Before you turn off and switch on the device, reboot your Roku stick. It’s one of the effective ways to troubleshoot common Roku problems.

Open Roku Settings and scroll to

System
.

Select

Power
.

System restart in Roku Settings

Click

System restart
. Select

Restart
.

Reboot Roku

You can also turn on auto power saving to allow the Roku player to save power under certain conditions.


Leave your Roku turned on and stream whenever you likeIf you are new to Roku, check out ourtop tips and tricksto get the best out of your streaming device. For those who want to cut the cord, our Roku guide to watching local TV channels will help you get started.